BritisH soldiers in Iraq were told to buy pizzas â because the Army had no food for them.
The shocking revelation was made in an e-mail home from a squaddie in Basra.
Now his complaint has been taken up by his MP, SNP leader Alex Salmond, who accuses the Government of complacency and failing in its duty of care.
The soldierâs e-mail claimed that when he and his colleagues found there was no food available they were told to go out and buy pizzas and claim back the cost.

BritisH soldiers in Iraq were told to buy pizzas â because the Army had no food for them.
The shocking revelation was made in an e-mail home from a squaddie in Basra.
Now his complaint has been taken up by his MP, SNP leader Alex Salmond, who accuses the Government of complacency and failing in its duty of care.
The soldierâs e-mail claimed that when he and his colleagues found there was no food available they were told to go out and buy pizzas and claim back the cost.
âNow we have been told we are getting no claims,â he went on, âso basically the Army are saying we need to fend for ourselves.
âWe miss quite a lot of meals because we are out on patrol.â
The soldier also complains about the state of their equipment.
âWhen we came out, nearly everyone in the company got sore feet from the poor quality Army boots.
Feet in tatters
âWe were told that to get a new, better pair we would have to get a medical note.
âSome of the boys are having to walk about with their feet in tatters and others have had to splash out more than $200 on new ones.
âI was lucky, and managed to swap mine with another guy, but they are still poor quality.â
Another of Mr Salmondâs constituents serving in Iraq had to be sent a thermal scarf, gloves, socks and underwear by his parents to keep him warm on night patrol as none had been supplied.
The soldierâs mother explained, âHe complained about the state his feet were in because of the boots he was given to wear. When he got a leave home, he bought a pair of black trainers for when he went back, as he couldnât afford decent boots.
âWe didnât mind sending food and clothing out, as we knew he needed them, but we did object to having to pay for each parcel sent.â
MPs across the country have had complaints about faulty boots, body armour and other gear. Yet a Parliamentary Answer to a question by Alex Salmond claims only four complaints have been made about boots since the start of the war.
Defect reports
Defence Under Secretary Derek Twigg said since March 2003 the Ministry of Defence had logged all formal defect reports.
âThere have been four reports for boots, and one for a waistcoat for Operation Telic, in Iraq,â he said. âThere have been three defect reports for body armour covers and one for a sleeping bag in Afghanistan. All defect reports were resolved.â
Mr Salmond says the Government is in complete denial and clearly failing in its duty of care towards the service personnel they put in the firing line.
âThis answer from the minister shows total complacency and is completely at variance with the experience of the soldiers on the ground,â he said. âI have had constituency correspondence from anxious parents about the lack of proper support and equipment.
âIt is simply not credible for the Government to claim there have only been four complaints about boots. These assertions are outrageous.â
A spokesman for the MoD said last night, âThe quality and versatility of the equipment we issue to our troops is higher than it has ever been. The success of our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to show our Armed Forces are not only among the best in the world, but are also among the best equipped.
âFood to the frontline is a top priority and we have a world class logistical service as a result.â

BritisH soldiers in Iraq were told to buy pizzas â because the Army had no food for them.
The shocking revelation was made in an e-mail home from a squaddie in Basra.
Now his complaint has been taken up by his MP, SNP leader Alex Salmond, who accuses the Government of complacency and failing in its duty of care.
The soldierâs e-mail claimed that when he and his colleagues found there was no food available they were told to go out and buy pizzas and claim back the cost.
âNow we have been told we are getting no claims,â he went on, âso basically the Army are saying we need to fend for ourselves.
âWe miss quite a lot of meals because we are out on patrol.â
The soldier also complains about the state of their equipment.
âWhen we came out, nearly everyone in the company got sore feet from the poor quality Army boots.
Feet in tatters
âWe were told that to get a new, better pair we would have to get a medical note.
âSome of the boys are having to walk about with their feet in tatters and others have had to splash out more than $200 on new ones.
âI was lucky, and managed to swap mine with another guy, but they are still poor quality.â
Another of Mr Salmondâs constituents serving in Iraq had to be sent a thermal scarf, gloves, socks and underwear by his parents to keep him warm on night patrol as none had been supplied.
The soldierâs mother explained, âHe complained about the state his feet were in because of the boots he was given to wear. When he got a leave home, he bought a pair of black trainers for when he went back, as he couldnât afford decent boots.
âWe didnât mind sending food and clothing out, as we knew he needed them, but we did object to having to pay for each parcel sent.â
MPs across the country have had complaints about faulty boots, body armour and other gear. Yet a Parliamentary Answer to a question by Alex Salmond claims only four complaints have been made about boots since the start of the war.
Defect reports
Defence Under Secretary Derek Twigg said since March 2003 the Ministry of Defence had logged all formal defect reports.
âThere have been four reports for boots, and one for a waistcoat for Operation Telic, in Iraq,â he said. âThere have been three defect reports for body armour covers and one for a sleeping bag in Afghanistan. All defect reports were resolved.â
Mr Salmond says the Government is in complete denial and clearly failing in its duty of care towards the service personnel they put in the firing line.
âThis answer from the minister shows total complacency and is completely at variance with the experience of the soldiers on the ground,â he said. âI have had constituency correspondence from anxious parents about the lack of proper support and equipment.
âIt is simply not credible for the Government to claim there have only been four complaints about boots. These assertions are outrageous.â
A spokesman for the MoD said last night, âThe quality and versatility of the equipment we issue to our troops is higher than it has ever been. The success of our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to show our Armed Forces are not only among the best in the world, but are also among the best equipped.
âFood to the frontline is a top priority and we have a world class logistical service as a result.â

So the CQMS forgot to order late meals for the incoming patrols!? SOP for such situations used to be the patrol commander making egg banjos for his patrol or a trip to the Char Wallah (and the CSM having a quiet 'word' with the CQMS to ensure it didn't happen again). Sad state of affairs.

Defence Under Secretary Derek Twigg said since March 2003 the Ministry of Defence had logged all formal defect reports.
âThere have been four reports for boots, and one for a waistcoat for Operation Telic, in Iraq,â he said. âThere have been three defect reports for body armour covers and one for a sleeping bag in Afghanistan. All defect reports were resolved.â

âIt is simply not credible for the Government to claim there have only been four complaints about boots. These assertions are outrageous.â

any comments?

Click to expand...

Yep only four people have been arssed to send in a defect report reference boots.

Now this is how the procurement process works - no reports on file = kit fine - therefore no problems.

Get writing reports when your chin-strapped or under fire (joke) then some one sat in Bath who has taken 2000 phones calls ref kit but only 4 letters can't quote from statistics......

Hang on, yes they will - Only 10% of personnel have complained (winging bast*ards) therefore statistically 90% are happy with the kit they have been issued.

Defence Under Secretary Derek Twigg said since March 2003 the Ministry of Defence had logged all formal defect reports.
âThere have been four reports for boots, and one for a waistcoat for Operation Telic, in Iraq,â he said. âThere have been three defect reports for body armour covers and one for a sleeping bag in Afghanistan. All defect reports were resolved.â

âIt is simply not credible for the Government to claim there have only been four complaints about boots. These assertions are outrageous.â

any comments?

Click to expand...

Yep only four people have been arssed to send in a defect report reference boots.

Now this is how the procurement process works - no reports on file = kit fine - therefore no problems.

Get writing reports when your chin-strapped or under fire (joke) then some one sat in Bath who has taken 2000 phones calls ref kit but only 4 letters can't quote from statistics......

Hang on, yes they will - Only 10% of personnel have complained (winging bast*ards) therefore statistically 90% are happy with the kit they have been issued.

Cynical moi?

Click to expand...

When I was in the QMs staff carried out all fault reporting, we just handed the kit in and they sorted it out. Have things changed so much?